[scoobydoo2]

Hey Guys...I recently replaced my wheel bearing and after not knowing which was bad I decided to go with some science instead!

Hopefully this will help anyone else out with a similar issue.

Background:
I've had a bad wheel bearing for the past 5 months and the sounds finally got to be too much. I tired the typical grab the wire and shake it and after trying each wheel twice i have has no luck.
Calling the dealer they said they run it on the lift and listen to each hub with a stethoscope...really??

Well being an engineer I knew that the sound was coming from the friction of the poor wheel bearing...friction develops heat.

So one day after my 60 mile commute home i took out instantly my infrared thermometer and shot each hub.
See below:

View attachment 470147
Three wheels were around 122 Deg F - So That's normal

View attachment 470148
153 deg F...hmmm okay i think i found it!

Replaced it
View attachment 470150
man what a pain

View attachment 470151
new!

And best of all the noises are gone! it feels nice to drive a silent car again!!

Anyway hope this is helpful for you guys!

Hey...that’s pretty darn slick....I’ll have to try that too...in the 9 years I’ve been driving the 4th Gen.....I’ve replaced all for corner bearings

 

[scoobydoo2]

That is a great way to diagnose the bearing...better than listening with a stethoscope which does work...the friction of the bad bearing is easily heard that way...but I guess you have just officially made that method old school.